BMW says laser headlights will be available on i8 this fall

Announcement is direct stab at Audi, which unveiled its own laser headlights at CES

by
Jodi Lai | February 10, 2014

Small

Medium

Large

BMW will be the first automaker to have laser headlights on a production vehicle, the German automaker announced this morning. The laser headlights will be available on the BMW i8 hybrid supercar this fall as an option.

“The optional laser boost feature additionally ensures a high beam range of up to 600 metres. This means that the already high illumination range of the modern LED high beam is doubled. Thanks to the new laser technology, it is possible to increase energy efficiency by a further 30 per cent compared to already highly power-saving LED light,” BMW said in a press release.

In a direct stab at Audi, which is a leader in innovative headlight design, BMW’s laser lights are lighter and more efficient than the LEDs currently used on its cars.The headlights will come with a camera-aided headlight assistant to ensure oncoming cars aren’t blinded.

Audi unveiled its own laser headlights on its Sport Quattro concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, but it is unclear when the new headlights will make it into production.